Your guide to the best bets in Euro 2016

Adrian Logan gives his thoughts on the European Championship contenders.

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Adrian Logan

19:43, 10 JUN 2016

Updated19:44, 10 JUN 2016

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I think we would all have to agree that going into this European Championships it would take a brave man to put the house on any eventual winner.

It’s wide open to say the least and you could make a case for anything up to six or more countries to lift the trophy on July 10th. Apart from the Netherlands all the usual suspects are there along with a few others who could cause the odd upset before it’s all over.

I am really looking forward to it all and of course there is huge local interest with Northern Ireland and the Republic. The two O Neill lads could do very well. When you add in England and Wales then it all adds up to a very interesting few weeks.

So who is going to win well here is a brief form guide and my thoughts ahead of it all.

France

The hosts are the favourites for the tournament. The home side normally does well in this type of tournament and I think we can expect France to show up well. A few years ago they couldn’t even win an argument although they were good at that. The disharmony is now gone from the camp and Didier Deschamps has his team all singing from the same hymn sheet.

They are very strong in defence and up front they have Antoine Griezmann who despite his penalty miss in the Champions League final will be going into the tournament with confidence at an all time high. He is working well with Man United striker Anthony Martial and thery could go well. It’s 16 years since they last won a major tournament and you wonder will the pressure get to them.

Germany

This time last year they would have been nailed on as clear favourites for the tournament. The World Cup winners were ahead of the rest but defeats to the Republic and Poland took the gloss off their campaign. I was at the Republic win in Dublin and whisper it but Germany looked very ordinary that night.

They have a host to top class players all the same and they just love tournament football. The question mark for them is about fitness and form and we will have to see how they grow into Euro 2016. Always close and yet I don’t fancy them this time out.

Spain

Of all the big hitters Spain for me are the best value of the lot. They are sitting as I write this at 5/1 with McLean’s. They were dismal at the last World Cup and made a very tame exit. It’s as if that was the end of this fine side and yet take a look at Spanish football. Twp Spanish sides in the Champions League final and winners of the Europa League again.. They still have a superb squad and in Iniesta they have one of the all time greats. They do have a problem all the same.

The recent rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid hasn’t been good. Jose Mourinho stoked the flames in that one and the manager Del Bosque will have to get all of his players playing together and in the case of Pique and Ramos just speaking to each other. Spain won nine out of ten tough qualifying games so they are back on form. They have won three of their last four International Tournaments so they do have the pedigree. They are my tip for what it’s worth.

England

The problem for England is that people are now saying they can win the Euros and some of the players might actually believe that. Roy Hodgson is a decent man but as an international manager I have my doubts. He tends to go with the flow and that worries me.

There is a massive question mark over his Captain Wayne Rooney. Rooney is past his best and you wonder will that loyalty affect some of the big decisions. They have the youngest squad in the tournament and with Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge they have players who can score.

Geoff Hurst say They might shake England a ittle but that will be their final if you ask me.s its the best England squad since 1966. I think they will have a good tournament but winning it might prove too much.

Belgium

On paper they should be well rated but that ‘s on paper. True they have some superb players but I’m not convinced of their pedigree nor mentality. They made the quarter finals of the World Cup last time out and that was their best international effort in thirty years. They will hard to beat but I have my doubts when they come to face one of the top sides in the tournament.

After that you can add in Austria who were superb in their qualifying group along with Iceland who will make a few people sit up and take notice. Wales have Gareth Bale. Yes Wales have Gareth Bale but little else. They are now below Northern Ireland in the World rankings and I think they are on a downward slide. They might shake England but that will be their final.

The Republic have done well to get this far. After a dismal draw in Dublin against Scotland they looked to have blown it but that win over Germany put them right back into the reckoning. They are here after getting through the knock out system but I have my doubts about their squad. I don’t see the spark nor the X Factor with this team.

They have a really tough Group and getting through might just be too difficult. Goals could be a problem. Depending on Robbie Keane as an impact sub at his age is stretching it a little. What a great player but that was a few seasons back.

Northern Ireland will go into the tournament with huge confidence. They are one of the form sides in France and they will be hard to beat. At 25 it;s the highest ever FIFA ranking. They do have a little bit of the X Factor with Kyle Laffery in sparkling form, Conor Washington and Will Grigg.

These players seem to find the net easily and that could be vital for Michael O Neill. Unlike the Republic they go into the tournament with no pressure at all. Just being there is massive and the fans will be hoping but not expecting too much. If it happens so be it .

If it doesn’t it won’t matter a jot.

Northern Ireland are strong at the back and in Steve Davis they have a Captain who is plying his trade at the highest level. I think they will have a more than decent campaign and they will cause problems along the way. The opening game is key.

Looking forward to it all. Check out all the Euro prices here with McLean’s.